Monthly Archives: September 2008

Raising the driving age

Posted on September 14, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve talked about the drinking age recently and whether or not it should be lowered. But what about the minimum age for getting a driver’s license? Some folks think it should be raised. Taking aim at a longstanding rite of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Powerless

Posted on September 13, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

We are currently scheduled to fly back to Houston on Thursday. Assuming we can get there. Entergy Texas are without power today at noon. The Texas-New Mexico Power Co., which services communities south of town, from Alvin to West Columbia, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Comments Off on Powerless

Reliant Stadium damaged, Texans game off

Posted on September 13, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like the Texans’ early-season schedule just got a little tougher. The Houston Texans will not be playing their home opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night at Reliant Stadium. The game was supposed to have been played at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 2 Comments

Starting to assess the damage

Posted on September 13, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

First word of the day is don’t drink the water. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett urged caution as Hurricane Ike continued to pummel the area with wind and rain this morning, asking residents to stay inside and conserve water. As … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 3 Comments

Ike’s arrival

Posted on September 13, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Hurricane Ike made landfall at 2 AM, directly over Galveston. The good news, for what it’s worth, is that wind speed forecasts are significantly lower for much of Harris County than they had been. Maybe that means the worst is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 1 Comment

Border fence: Now over budget, too!

Posted on September 13, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Everything the Bush administration has touched has been a screwup. Why should the border fence be any different? The Bush administration needs an extra $400 million to complete its fence along the country’s southwestern border, and government investigators say that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 1 Comment

The last men on the island

Posted on September 12, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I do not understand this. About 1,000 prisoners and a full jail staff remained in the Galveston County Jail on Galveston Island this morning, even as the island began to be battered by the onslaught of Hurricane Ike. The reason … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 2 Comments

Fearing the worst for Galveston

Posted on September 12, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve been trying to stay at least somewhat optimistic about what Ike will do to Texas. That isn’t easy, and it’s getting harder. Here’s SciGuy’s latest: Ike’s expected to produce a massive, destructive surge far up the Texas coast and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 1 Comment

The DA that did the judge

Posted on September 12, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I have not been following the Charles Dean Hood case, in which the presiding judge and the District Attorney have finally admitted under oath that they had a long-term sexual affair – you can get some background here, or just … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on The DA that did the judge

Endorsement watch: DMN for Sam Houston

Posted on September 12, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Dallas Morning News, which has been the early bird of endorsements these past few seasons, makes its recommendations for the State Supreme Court, picking Democrat Sam Houston for Place 7. Democratic challenger Sam Houston has built solid reputation defending … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: DMN for Sam Houston

Assessing the Dems’ chances in the Lege

Posted on September 12, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Recently, the Statesman analyzed the state of the Legislative races and suggested a reason why the Republicans may retain control in the House: As Democrats pin their hopes on changing demographics, Republicans are betting that the Democrats will trip over … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Assessing the Dems’ chances in the Lege

The dinosaur mummy

Posted on September 12, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Time for something a little bit lighter as Ike bears down on the coast. This sounds way cool. The Houston Museum of Natural Science, in association with the Judith River Foundation, will develop and tour a world premiere exhibition featuring … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Comments Off on The dinosaur mummy

Texans game postponed till Monday

Posted on September 12, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Astros have postponed their games tonight and tomorrow night with the Cubs. The Comets have postponed their game tonight with Sacramento – the email they sent to season ticket holder suggested it might be canceled altogether, which is my … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Comments Off on Texans game postponed till Monday

Ike equals Rita, or Alicia?

Posted on September 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

So the track for Ike has shifted eastward once again, and it’s now headed towards Galveston. SciGuy presents two possible scenarios. 1. Hurricane Alicia-redux, with a stronger surge. This scenario is most likely if the official forecast of a 120-mph … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 3 Comments

Ike is coming

Posted on September 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Dammit. Hurricane Ike’s turn toward the Houston area spurred emergency officials this morning to call for a mandatory evacuation of residents in areas that will be subject to a massive storm surge. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett called for mandatory … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 1 Comment

Candidate Q&A: Steven Kirkland

Posted on September 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Note: This entry is part of a series of written Q&As with judicial candidates who will be on the ballot in Harris County. I am also doing recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates. 1. Who are you, and what are you … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Candidate Q&A: Steven Kirkland

Huffman’s poll

Posted on September 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

BOR and QR report on an internal poll done by the Joan Huffman campaign for SD17. I happen to have the press release about the poll, so let me quote the relevant bits: The Joan Huffman Campaign released today internal … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Huffman’s poll

Timing is everything

Posted on September 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Funny how these things work out, isn’t it? Three Republican jurists in Harris County resigned at the end of August, just late enough so that their successors will be chosen by the governor and not the voters. To Gerry Birnberg, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Timing is everything

Paul 2008, Nader 2000?

Posted on September 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Ron Paul says to his followers “Never give up, never surrender”. Ron Paul, the libertarian-leaning, Houston-area congressman who waged a feisty Republican primary campaign for president, is expected today to urge supporters to reject the two major party candidates and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 2 Comments

Can you print that in large, friendly letters for me?

Posted on September 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Tell you what. I promise not to panic yet about Hurricane Ike if you’ll be sure to tell me when it’s okay for me to start. The good news is that we’ve already evacuated, as we’re visiting family this weekend. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Comments Off on Can you print that in large, friendly letters for me?

Interview with Joel Redmond

Posted on September 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, I’m very focused on the Democrats’ chances to win a majority in the State House, which would be an end to the dictatorial reign of Tom Craddick as House Speaker. Key to those chances are a handful … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Interview with Joel Redmond

All John Sharp, all the time

Posted on September 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Behold the news machine that is John Sharp. Sometimes, the political itch just won’t go away. Friends of former Comptroller John Sharp, who has lost two races for lieutenant governor and has long eyed the governor’s office, say he now … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged | 1 Comment

The argument against lowering the drinking age

Posted on September 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve mentioned the Amethyst Initiative and its efforts to lower the drinking age, which is something that I think has merit. Let me now present this op-ed by Robert Nash Parker, a professor of sociology and co-director of the Presley … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | Comments Off on The argument against lowering the drinking age

One less SOB

Posted on September 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The city bags one. A Houston strip club shut down Tuesday after a state district judge ruled it violated a 1997 city ordinance regulating “sexually oriented businesses.” The Penthouse Club, 2618 Winrock, is the first one the city has shut … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on One less SOB

Not reassuring at all

Posted on September 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Let me just say that I could have lived without hearing this. The bottom line is that the Houston area could face a near worst-case scenario with Ike, although I’d still peg the chances of this happening at one-in-four, or … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 3 Comments

Candidate Q&A: Andres Pereira

Posted on September 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Note: This entry is part of a series of written Q&As with judicial candidates who will be on the ballot in Harris County. I am also doing recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates. 1. Who are you, and what are you … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Once more to the courthouse for Farmers Branch

Posted on September 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go again. Opponents of a Dallas suburb’s latest effort to drive away illegal immigrants asked a federal judge Monday to restrain Farmers Branch officials from enforcing a ban on rental housing to people who can’t prove they are … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on Once more to the courthouse for Farmers Branch

RIP, Don Haskins

Posted on September 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Don Haskins, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Texas-El Paso, has died at the age of 78. Haskins’ coaching career took him from Enid, Okla. to basketball immortality with an NCAA championship and enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Comments Off on RIP, Don Haskins

Texas blog roundup for the week of September 8

Posted on September 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

All righty, the conventions are over, the speeches have been given, the bounces have bounced, and we are now officially supposed to be paying attention. So with that in mind, here is the latest roundup from the Texas Progressive Alliance. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of September 8

Court rules against Bell

Posted on September 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Win some, lose some. Democrat Chris Bell today lost his attempt to remove another Democratic opponent from the ballot in the November special election for the District 17 Texas Senate seat. State District Judge Scott Jenkins said Bell had failed … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 3 Comments

The County Board of Ethics, for what it’s worth

Posted on September 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Remember that board of ethics that County Judge Ed Emmett wanted to form and eventually got around to? It was supposed to have the power to investigate ethics complaints involving county officials and employees, but it turns out it won’t … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 2 Comments

Interview with Debra Kerner

Posted on September 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve said before that prior to this year, I had never paid any attention to the Harris County Department of Education Trustee races. I think like many people, I’d confused them with either the HISD Trustees or maybe the State … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Interview with Debra Kerner

Hurricane fatigue

Posted on September 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I sure understand where the sentiment comes from. With Hurricane Ike set to travel nearly the length of Cuba today before heading into the Gulf of Mexico, residents from Texas to Florida face another week of worrying about whether their … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 1 Comment

Thirteen million voters

Posted on September 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Impressive. Voter registration in Texas will set an all-time high before the Oct. 6 registration deadline arrives for the November general election. The state had 12.6 million voters registered for the March primary. “We are confident that number will hit … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments